Before sunset in Milan on Sunday, San Siro witnessed a dazzling celebration as Inter Milan officially commemorated their 20th Serie A title.
Inter fans had been rejoicing since last month when the Nerazzurri secured the Serie A championship with five matches remaining. However, the players finally received the trophy after their final home match of the season—a 1-1 draw against Lazio.
This title, Inter’s 20th, earned the club a second star. Following the match, all players donned special team shirts featuring “20” and two stars on the back. Each player was individually called to the stage to receive their medals, with Lautaro Martinez, the team captain, coming out last—following coach Simone Inzaghi.
Martinez then lifted the trophy to the cheers of a packed San Siro, with fireworks lighting up the sky. The players paraded the trophy around the field, accompanied by their close friends and family, who were waiting in a sectioned-off area near the stage.
Among those present was Lilian Thuram, father of Inter forward Marcus Thuram, proudly wearing an Inter shirt with his son’s name on his chest. Lilian Thuram, a World Cup winner with France in 1998, previously played as a defender for Parma and Juventus.
Musicians and Inter fans Tananai and Ligabue performed a mini-concert to add to the festivities.
Despite ongoing questions about the club’s financial status, the celebrations were undiminished. Reports suggest that Suning and Inter President Steven Zhang might lose control of the club if they fail to repay a debt of nearly 400 million euros ($434 million) to the American investment fund Oaktree by early next week.
“This is a matter for our shareholders … I can only guarantee that the club is very solid and, with Zhang at the helm, we have followed a virtuous path on a balance sheet level,” Inter CEO Giuseppe Marotta stated. “I would challenge anyone to check by looking at our accounts.
“Whatever decision the Zhang family takes, it will be for the good of the club that they love.”
The celebrations began before kickoff with a spectacular pre-match choreography that covered every inch of the stands at San Siro. One side of the stadium displayed two stars and the Scudetto symbol, while the other side spelled out “champions of Italy.” The ends of the stadium showcased the Inter logo and the number 20.
In the match, Denzel Dumfries headed in a free kick late to secure a draw for Inter after Daichi Kamada had put Lazio in front in the first half.
